Apoptosis and growth factors in parathyroid adenomas.
Detection of apoptotic cells and of immunoreactivity to transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) and to its ligand, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), was studied in 20 cases of parathyroid adenoma. The DNA nick-end labelling method revealed that 85% of these adenomas contained apoptotic cells. Detection rates of TGF-alpha and EGFR were very high, but neither TGF-alpha nor EGFR was correlated to apoptosis. As TGF-alpha exerts its effect via EGFR, the concomitant demonstration of the two factors occurring in both the adenomatous tissue and the surrounding rim of normal tissue may reflect a significant mutual association. The markers were located mainly within the cytoplasm, indicating their important role in growth regulation, cell differentiation and cell function. The synchronous expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR in both parathyroid adenomas and normal glandular parenchyma suggests that these functions may be mediated by an autocrine mechanism.
Kvasnicka
T
T
Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Wang
W
W
Johansson
H
H
Sandelin
K
K
Grimelius
L
L
D000236:Adenoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis
D006133:Growth Substances; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors